FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 27, 2005
Mental health staff facing lockout
TORONTO: It could be a long hot summer for staff at Across Boundaries, an agency providing mental health services to clientele from ethno-racial communities throughout Toronto.
The union and the employer have not been able to agree on wages or working conditions for a first contract for the agency's 10 employees. The employer called for a "no-board report" on June 16 setting the stage for a lockout, starting July 3.
"We're willing to negotiate a fair agreement, but it looks like this employer has no interest in fairness either at the table or in the workplace. We expect more from an employer that claims to operate from an anti-racism framework." said Paulton Mckenzie, bargaining team chair.
The employer's offer includes a proposal that would polarize the staff by offering a $2,000 wage increase for new employees only. The employer will not even meet with the union, unless the union will capitulate on the wage issue.
The employer's offer also stipulates that any lieu time worked must be forfeited if it is not taken in a timely manner, and the employer has the sole discretion to authorize when such lieu time is taken.
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For further information:
Marilyn Youden, Staff representative: OPSEU Toronto office 416-928-2475
Bargaining team member: Paulton Mckenzie 416-839-7375
